Non-rotating bicycle wheel display disk

ABSTRACT

The present invention describes a non-rotating display bicycle wheel cover assembly that remains absolutely upright in relation to the rotation of the bicycle wheel and in relation to a parked bicycle wheel. The invention consists of twin disk assemblies mounted to both sides of a conventional bicycle wheel and inturn to the front and rear of a bicycle frame. The disk assemblies are manufactured of lightweight inexpensive material that is formed to the convex shape of the outer surface of a bicycle wheel and includes an overmolded, captive friction bearing made of a high density, self lubricating plastic. A plastic retaining mechanism is secured to the outer disk fascia and a bicycle frame member to hold the disk in an upright position at all times whether the bicycle is in motion or in repose.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference to: U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/547,472

U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/547,467

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

“Not Applicable”

SEQUENCE LISTING

“Not Applicable”

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a pair of bicycle wheel covers, and more particularly, to a pair of lightweight non-rotating display bicycle wheel covers that remain absolutely upright in relation to the rotation of the bicycle wheel and in relation to a parked bicycle wheel.

Bicycles are a popular mode of transportation and recreation. As their main means of use is out of doors this creates a vast commercial opportunity as an advertising display medium. Advertising on bicycles is not a new concept nor are wheel covers.

Wheel covers or “shrouds” on bicycles have been used for aerodynamics, safety and aesthetic purposes. The problem arriving with this type of display is that it is not readable as the bicycle is in motion when imprinted with a message. Additionally, the display is inevitably not upright after the bicycle has been parked.

The use of a counterweight has been used on motor vehicles but is ineffective in many ways regarding a bicycle application: a bicycle requires balance of the wheels, frame and rider and the counterweight would fight against this and could result in a very dangerous situation; bicycles need to be light weight; spacing tolerances on the rear wheel of a bicycle rim are at a minimum due to the rear sprocket, gears, or break and could not accommodate a counterweight; a counterweighted wheel cover does not remain absolutely still during riding would tend to oscillate at braking; counterweights are inherently unstable.

Importantly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,604 (Dietz) discloses a “wheel shroud” designed as a single plastic cover with means to access the air valve of a bicycle wheel.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,962 (Schaffer) describes a ridged spoked wheel cover, much like the above described patent, primarily for decorative purposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,838 (Berg, et al.), as well as U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,693 (Molson) both disclose a non ridged cover attached to a bicycle wheel. U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,550 indicates a decorative wheel cover which includes an applique type of design, as the above referenced patents, it rotates with the wheel.

A bicycle wheel cover used for safety against the spoked region of a bicycle wheel is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,582 (Seltman).

A bicycle wheel cover disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,727 (Johnson) is used for aerodynamic purposes and is also a single cover.

Disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,110 (Lee, et al.) is described various uses for a non rotating display using a counterweight and a friction prevention unit including, but not limited to, a vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,342 and U.S. Patent both describe a Non-rotating wheel cover for a vehicle and are both disclosed for use on automobiles and other motorized vehicles using a counter weight. As do U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,989, U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,715, U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,239 (Matsushita) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,104 (Okamoto).

Other Prior art disclosing non-rotating vehicle wheel displays Include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,293 (Kovalenko), U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,678 (Fryer), U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,542 (Boothe, et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 1,478,475 (Jago, et al.)

It is therefore apparent that the present invention discloses a pair of display wheel cover assemblies that, when attached to a bicycle wheel and in turn to a bicycle, forward or rear, create an absolute motionless upright display surface unlike any of the above described inventions.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a pair of bicycle wheel covers, and more particularly, to a pair of lightweight non-rotating display bicycle wheel covers that remain absolutely upright in relation to the rotation of the bicycle wheel and in relation to a parked bicycle wheel.

Inertia of the outer display disks is achieved through the use of a ridged adjustable retaining mechanism attached to the outer edge of the disks and a bicycle frame member on both sides of a bicycles front and back wheels.

To maintain longevity, minimal thickness, correct spacing and centering of the two disk per wheel side assembly, a lightweight, two part plastic bearing is utilized. A large diameter hole in the middle of each display disk, where the bearing resides, accommodates the passing through of the bicycle's wheel hub and skewer assembly.

Display disks are printed as to display advertising or graphic images on the outer face, or the inner face and back wheel mounted disc, in the event that the outward facing disks are manufactured from a clear sub-straight. Display disks range in diameter to accommodate various wheel sizes from small children's bicycles to adult sized bicycles, so as to completely cover the spoke area of the wheel to the inner rim edge. The outward facing display disk may also be cut into various shapes depicting products or images and inturn the shapes attached to the ridged adjustable retaining mechanism/bicycle frame member.

A notch is introduced into the outer edge of each backing disk to accommodate a bicycle automobile roof mounting system or a antitheft device opposite of which a hole is located to facilitate adding air to the air valve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. is a side elevation view of one half of a bicycle wheel display disk assembly.

FIG. 2. is a front view of one half of a bicycle wheel display disk.

FIG. 3. is a front view of display disk as mounted to typical bicycle spoke and wheel assembly.

FIG. 4. is a full side section of display disk as mounted to a bicycle frame inturn mounted to a typical bicycle spoke and wheel assembly showing bearing assembly location.

FIG. 5. is a detailed section view of display disk as mounted to typical bicycle spoke and wheel assembly showing mechanical attachment to bicycle frame.

FIG. 6. is a detailed section view of display disk showing bearing assembly.

FIG. 7. is an exploded view of display disk assembly showing back mounting disk, bearing assembly and front display disk.

FIG. 8. is an elevation view of a typical bicycle showing front and rear application of bicycle wheel display disks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 through 8.

Turning to FIG. 1 we see the visual surface of the invention shown as item 8 nested upon 9 with a overmolded plastic bearing holding them into position and at the same time centering both circular units. As seen on FIG. 1, a raceway is created by the outer edge being turned upward nesting 8 into place and protecting it's leading edge. This edge is interrupted at 10 by a slight notch to create an access point for the use of a bicycle automobile roof mounting system or a antitheft device, opposite of which a hole, 11, is located to facilitate adding air to the air valve. This hole is accessed by slightly lifting 8 and inserting an air hose.

Moving to FIG. 3, we see the invention mounted to a bicycle wheel and tire assembly designated as 14. The outer disk completely covers a plurality of mounting holes, 13, and the valve stem access hole, 11. By keeping the outer surface clean of these components the function of the base disk, 9, becomes unseen.

Following on to FIG. 4 one sees the heart of the invention, a two part machined or injection molded bearing, 12, made of self lubricating plastic such as HMEW or comparable. This bearing is manufactured in to parts and consists of a female inner portion and a male outer portion with a barbed end to create a positive locking surface. The bearings are inturn overmolded into part 8 and 9 creating a captive type of connection. This is also well illustrated within FIG. 6. The size of the bearing is critical this application due to the tolerance constraints between wheel and frame, wheel and gear cassette, wheel and coaster break, ect. The display disk assemblies are manufactured with a dimension to fit both front and rear wheels of a bicycle.

Inertia of the outer display disks is achieved through the use of a ridged adjustable retaining mechanism, 19, attached to the outer edge of the disks and a bicycle frame member, using either a welded on wire boss or a wrap around retainer, 17, on both sides of a bicycle frame, 16, 19 is constructed of a ridged plastic, such as PVC, which enables 8 to stay in an absolute upright position at all times, whether the bicycle is in motion or in repose. 19 is manufactured in such a way as to self destruct if any portion of the assembly such as 8 becomes bound to another surface or an outside force making the assembly unsafe.

The stability of the outer disk and it's use on a bicycle is unique to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, showing one half of the invention, the assembly consists of five major components; the base disk thermoformed from a polystyrene or PVC type of sub-straight with a turned up leading edge and a center hole to except a bicycle wheel hub and skewer, 15. A plurality of recessed holes, 13, to attach to a like assembly via sonic welding or mechanical fasteners.

A bearing assembly, 12, is overmolded into base disk, 9 and outside disk, 8 and the time of forming. The bearing, 12, is then attached to one another by simply pushing the two together as seen again in FIG. 6. The bearing enables the disk to turn freely with out wear or friction. A retaining mechanism made of PVC is mechanically fastened to the outer disk, 8 and the bicycle frame member, 16, to hold the outer disk in a ridged and upright position making the graphic readable at all times. 

1. A pair of non-rotating circular display assemblies enclosing the spoked portion of a bicycle wheel comprising: a pair of inner circular base disks having a raised outer circumference edge to abut a wheel rim, allowing the outer disk to nest within, utilizing a notched portion of said edge allowing access for a bicycle lock to cross through disks and bicycle rim, directly opposing a valve stem access hole inset from disk periphery; said base disk having centrally located holes extending outward creating a bearing stay and rigidity, where through a bicycle wheel hub passes; means for joining opposing base disks by aligning a plurality of protruding side of recessed holes between spoked portions of wheel attached at flat portions of recess via sonic weld or mechanical fastener; a pair of outer convex disks having centrally located holes extending inward creating a bearing stay and rigidity where through a bicycle wheel hub passes; a two part bearing assemblage constructed of opposing halves attached to corresponding inner and outer disk's obverse and reverse faces respectively; an adjustable retaining mechanism attached to said outer disks on the obverse periphery engaging both the said disk and bicycle frame member on opposing sides of bicycle. 